Video Game Sprites

Sprite Description in Detail

Sprites are, at heart, a cartoon-like representation of an object that can or can't be manipulated. Some sprites can be made from CGI, while other sprites are simple eight by eight bitmap images. In the early days of video gaming, sprites were limited to only a few colors, but as technology got better, sprites got more detailed and colorful. Video game sprites are oftentimes part of the background. For example, in Super Mario World, the clouds, blocks, and turtles are all sprites. If you control a sprite that is an actual character, then designers must create a number of images that can signify if you are running left, right, jumping, ducking, and standing still. It's possible that a video game character creator has ten different sprite images that must be loaded up at the appropriate time.

Sprites in video games can be 3-D, it’s just up to the video game designers if the game calls for it. Donkey Kong Country is a beautiful game with lots of 3-D sprites... even the Kongs themselves are 3-D! Afterburner is cleverly presented in 3-D even though the sprites are in 2-D and the same can be said of Sega’s Outrun.

Creating Your Own

It's actually very easy to create your own sprites. All you need is some graphics drawing program, like MS Paint. Setup your canvas with the dimensions of 8x8, 16x16, 32x32, or 64x64 since those are the most common dimensions. Now as you draw, you will probably notice that you are working in a more blockish style than your used to. That's just fine because sprites are just pictures built with blocks (or pixels). Save your picture as a Bitmap (BMP) and you're done!

Sprite Making Programs

• Program URL lists a number of Sprite making demo and shareware programs.
• Gamemaker has a rudimentary, but good sprite making program. Also, you can learn how to program games in a point-and-click object-orientated environment to see how working with sprites within a game environment works.

Downloading Video Game Sprites

There are many sites out there where you can download the sprites of your favorite games. You can add them to your desktop and even use them as your Icons for your favorite programs.

• Video Game Sprites.net has over 20,000 sprites, mostly from Nintendo games.
• Emugifs has a lot of sprites from obscure games, including arcade games, and the Neo-Geo. A nice collection, though.
• The Skyguy Kingdom has a large library of sprites spanning many systems.

Sprite Cross-Stitch

Did you read that heading right? You sure did. If you know how to cross-stitch (or know someone that does), then support your hardcore video game addiction -- especially if it’s for old school gaming -- by having sprite art on pillows and purses. There are hundreds of games represented, though you will find those familiar characters you’re used to like Mario, Bomberman, and even the Dog from Duck Hunt! Check out Sprite Stitch for patterns and other ideas in creating pixel works of art.

The Video Game CGI Age

It seems that video game sprites are slowly fading away to the high-tech CGI that has created life-like images and people. But even today there is a place for sprite technology and whether that’s in reminiscing about your favorite game from the 80’s or for a brand new 2D game that just can’t be resisted, you can’t help but think that sprites are what made video games come alive. Besides, Mario would never have existed if it was for sprites.